INITIATIVES

ABSTRACT OF THE PRESENTATION MADE AT THE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM "DYNAMICS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN; PERSPECTIVE AND RETROSPECTIVE" (30 NOV-04 DEC 2015, GOA, INDIA) TO COMMEMORATE THE COMPLETION OF 50 YEARS OF IIOE-1

Title of Abstract

Indian Science Plan for IIOE-2

Authors

Satheesh Shenoi**, Satya Prakash

Abstract

The International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE) marked a watershed in the pursuit of knowledge of the Indian Ocean and its culmination led to the birth of National Institute of Oceanography in Goa, the first multi-disciplinary oceanographic research institute in the Indian Ocean region. Though various international/national expeditions in post IIOE era have contributed significantly towards our understanding of the Indian Ocean, many scientific questions pertaining to circulation, monsoon and biogeochemical cycling still remain unanswered. For example, how large scale oscillations and perturbations, such as the Wyrtki Jets, Madden-Julian Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole modulate the physical and biogeochemical variability of the Indian Ocean is still rudimentary. It is essential to distinguish the effect of these processes on the signals of climate change. Accurate monsoon prediction needs comprehensive understanding of the upper layer ocean dynamics and Ocean-Atmosphere interactions over the Indian Ocean. The observed contrast between Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea in terms of denitrification and nitrogen cycling also needs to be resolved. Shoreline changes, coastal eutrophication/hypoxia and associated ecosystem response may have catastrophic bearing on large population residing all along the Indian Coast. Compared to IIOE era presently we are better equipped to revisit outstanding scientific questions. India has suits of observation systems, both in-situ and satellites, and several oceanographic research vessels which will be available during IIOE-2 to the scientific community. Enhanced modeling capabilities assisted by modern tools of observation and satellite oceanography will certainly provide a much better understanding of the Indian Ocean during the IIOE-2.